​Using Minecraft to support Literacy

It is well documented how games such as Minecraft can be used as a hook to engage reluctant writers. Here are just a few of my favourite examples:

Creative writing​

Holy Trinity School in Barnsley have been using Minecraft to develop literacy skills, particularly for reluctant and disaffected learners. Using the game as a stimulus, students write creative accounts of their adventures in the Minecraft world they have created, write instructions for other students and create biographies of their characters. Work is then published on a blog, giving students the opportunity to network with other schools. This develops key skills such as literacy, analytical skills and how to be a responsible digital citizen. The work of Holy Trinity School featured in a BBC news report, you can read the follow up article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-27936946

​​Use Minecraft to engage reluctant writers

Storytelling

Minecraft has no story or dialogue so students have to use their imagination. Minecraft can take storytelling one step further by immersing students in the story. Students can create scenes or settings based on their favourite story or take on the role of the main characters and act out scenes in Minecraft.

To help with their stories, provide students with them some sentences starters and a list of verbs / adverbs:

Sentence Starters

Prepositions

Adverbs

Verbs

Add some 'gamification' to the lesson by awarding points for each word depending on the complexity, for example: 3 points for the word 'Dark and 5 points for the word 'Ominous'. Students are then awarded points depending on the complexity of the language used in their stories.

Instructional writing

Minecraft is a perfect platform for encouraging students to develop their problem solving skills and demonstrate their creativity however, it is also a great platform for developing instructional writing.

Ask students to build a basic structure or red stone contraption and write down a set of step-by-step instructions so that others can re-create their construction.

To help with their instructions, provide students with them some example imperative verbs (bossy words) and time connectives:

​You may also be interested in:

​This work is not affiliated in any way with Mojang AB. Minecraft is a trademark of Mojang AB. The Minecraft Name, the Minecraft Brand and the Minecraft Assets are all property of Mojang AB or their respectful owner. This work adheres to the terms set out by Mojang AB at https://www.minecraft.net/terms